NTT Com to Offer Dual-stack Global IP-VPN Service Worldwide

TOKYO, April 13 /PRNewswire/ -- NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com) announced on April 13 plans for the worldwide rollout of an Internet-protocol (IP) virtual private network (VPN) service supporting both the conventional IPv4 and successor IPv6 protocols, beginning April 15 in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Launches in other markets will be announced later.

NTT Com will be the first Japanese company to offer a worldwide commercial IPv6-compatible IP-VPN service based on Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS).

The service will provide dual-stack connectivity for NTT Com's Arcstar(TM) Global IP-VPN via synchronous transfer mode (STM), Ethernet or cross-connect access lines. By allowing both protocols to be used on the same network, the service enables enterprises to retain existing IPv4 architecture while gradually transitioning to IPv6 in a relatively smooth, low-cost manner. Most Arcstar Global IP-VPN optional services will be available, including quality of service, load sharing and traffic reporting. Service-level agreements will assure reliable, high-quality IP-VPN performance.

As IPv4 addresses near exhaustion, multinational companies are finding themselves increasingly in need of local area network services compatible with IPv6, which offers virtually unlimited addresses.

"Deploying an IPv6-compatible system can require time, so now is the time for enterprises to begin preparing for the transition, starting by considering just how badly the exhaustion of IPv4 addresses could impact the company's overall ICT system," said Dr. Shin Miyakawa, Director of IP Core Technology, Innovative IP Architecture Center. "The new dual-stack service will enable companies to smoothly transition from IPv4 to IPv6 via a fully managed, high-quality global network, backed by the unmatched know-how and experience of NTT Com, operator of the world's first commercial global IPv6 backbone since 2001."

The company launched a Japan-only dual-stack Arcstar IP-VPN service in March 2009.

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SOURCE NTT Communications Corporation